My response was “Yes – why wouldn’t you?” To which he replied that he doesn’t work on his own. Despite his initial hesitation, he accepted the award. On the day of the ceremony we travelled to the base – my two daughters and their partners, and my mother as well. Two commandos were awarded that day. The other medal recipient had the first seat, then Brett, Elvi, myself and the rest of my family, and Iain. Callender’s signing was one of the last made by Edmund Goodman, who still holds the record as Palace’s longest-serving manager.

Mrs Callender originally enrolled in a Diploma of Building Design with TAFE Digital when she lived in the small town of Dolphin Point, near Ulladulla in NSW. “I had just had my third child, so thought it would be a good opportunity to study subjects I’d always had a yearning to know more about,” she said. “Little did I know that this would become a new career I’m passionate about and that I would not return to nursing.” A great part of my career and loving great design means that buying architectural magazines and watching shows like Grand Designs can be counted as ‘working’!” she enthused.Eddie Graham of Prudhoe Local History Society has researched Billy's life along with his colleague Len Franchetti. The Crystal Art concept is similar to painting by numbers. Each design has a numbered, adhesive template. Use the tool to lift up the coloured resin gems and place them on the corresponding numbered dots. The technique is a relaxing and therapeutic craft activity, suitable for adults and children (ages 8+) alike. The result is a stunning piece of rhinestone art you can proudly display. During his time at Palace, Billy became a fan-favourite and is something of a club legend, with fans still remembering his name to this day. Now, 90 years on from his death, a group of Crystal Palace supporters will be visiting Prudhoe in the summer to pay tribute to the club legend The calendar also contains four Crystal Art projects for you to enjoy and complete for each season.

Life-long Eagles fan James Wright, a former teacher at Cumnor House School, on Pampisford Road, South Croydon, has heavily researched Callender’s life and published ‘The Sad Story of Billy Callender’ in November 2011.The supporters have generously agreed to meet the cost of cleaning the grave to make sure it will be in tip-top condition for their visit to Prudhoe. Brett was tragically killed in action by an Improvised Explosive Device on 23 May 2011. As the 10-year anniversary of Brett’s passing approached, Life on the Line was asked by one of Brett's close friends and fellow commandos to commemorate the day. We have done so by creating this special podcast, a celebration of his life. Alex Lloyd spoke with family, friends and colleagues of Brett - from those who knew him personally to those who served alongside him and marvelled at his professionalism. Billy's tragic story was immoratlised b lifelong Palace fan James Wright ten years ago in a mini-book titled The Sad Story of Billy Callender, where Wright pays tribute to his kindness and devotion, especially in Ella’s last days when she was bed-ridden.

Football poet John J O’Connor believes that his spirit lives on and wrote a poem titled ‘The Ghost of Selhurst Park’ in 2003. Below are the last two stanzas of the poem. The inquest records into Callender’s death have vanished, and, as a result, most of the content of Mr Wright’s research is based on research from libraries. Cllr Angie Scott, who represents Prudhoe North on Northumberland County Council, has worked alongside the history project in making sure the visit happens, and was full of praise for the team of volunteers. Selhurst Park has seen its fair share of highs and lows, but there have been few tragedies as striking as sad tale of one former goalkeeper, who is said to haunt the famous ground.Crystal Callender had no idea she would become the proud owner of Bright Future Building Design when she made the life altering decision to change career direction from nursing to building design. Being at a cross-road in her career when she took maternity leave, she took a 360 degree turn to develop her creative side in an industry she’d always been interested in. He frequently roamed Croydon, pushing Ela in her wheelchair, and lay by her bedside for seven weeks in the lead up to her death in May 1932. The book reveals all on the shot-stopper's life, right from his teenage years to the day of his death. Commando Regiment veterans, friends and family share their memories of the late Sergeant Brett Wood MG, DSM.

She said: "Eddie and his team are so passionate about the history of Prudhoe and really want to pass the history to younger generations in our town.Brett Wood’s mother, Alison, drew our attention to a detail in this photograph we neglected to mention – you can see the shrapnel under Brett’s fingernail that his sister, Sharlene, spoke of in the podcast. Alison has written a post-release contribution to our #107 Brett Wood tribute episode, about his Medal for Gallantry: Mr Wright told the Chronicle Echo: “Callender was totally loyal and devoted. He stayed with her right to the very end. It is impossible not to be moved by what happened.” Read More Related Articles